SugarNSpice3

We are Elite on Princess, have sailed several btbs on Royal and Regal. We are also 3* on HAL, but had only experienced the Mid-size ships. This past March we chose to take a 20 day Caribbean on the Koningsdam, (sister to the Nieuw Statendam). We were delighted with the ship, the music walk, the specialty restaurants. We were impressed with the variety in the buffet. There was an omelet station, a salad bar, an Asian stir fry bar, a smoothie station, an ice cream station, and more. Not self service, but much more sanitary. The Dive In (burgers) and New York deli (sandwiches and pizza) were also both excellent. The room stewards and waiters were among the best.

Although we missed the free laundry on Princess, we chose the $20/bag option, a bargain considering how full we stuffed the bag. We made up for the internet minutes by finding Internet cafes at each port.

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The last time we sailed on the Regal, March 2017, we did purchase the Unlimited Soda and More package. Soda was not included, but we did order several mocktails on Princess Cays with our USM sticker.

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We are sailing on this cruise also. We are Elites, but we are not big drinkers. I wish there was a change in the appetizer menu, so I could entice DH to attend more often.

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The online descriptions of those venues appear to have been recently updated:

 

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/cb-caribbean-princess/ (click 'Specialty Dining')

 

STEAMERS: Our new family-style seafood restaurant offers dinner served by wait staff for a nominal fee. Choose from Black & Blue Mussels or Classic Clams “Steamers” or the Broiled Platter which includes scallops, shrimp and crab-stuffed flounder. All come with generous sides and dipping sauces as well as starters and dessert. At lunchtime, help yourself to a buffet that includes Gourmet and Ramen Bowls with regionally inspired broths—all at no charge. And join us for breakfast, also at no charge, for specialty egg dishes like omelets, fried eggs and eggs Benedict.

PLANKS: Drop by for a classic American-style dinner, served by wait staff for a nominal fee. Our casual BBQ restaurant gives you a choice of "Planks" loaded with four meats, chili, coleslaw and seasoned fries along with starters and decadent dessert. Planks BBQ also serves a buffet-style lunch at no charge, with signature soup and freshly tossed salad, as well as regionally inspired fork-and-knife sandwiches. Buffet-style breakfasts, also at no charge, include savory breakfast bowls customized for you.

But the latest revision of the Dining Options doc:

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/food-and-dining/dining-options.pdf

...while repeating that Breakfast and Lunch are no charge. lists only the opening hours for Lunch and Dinner.

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The coupon book sold in the Shopping presentation is called Savvy Traveler. I can't bear to sit through the presentations and have never bought one.